Dimapur: The Nagaland government has integrated the urban health and wellness centres (UHWCs) with existing health units such as sub-centres and primary health centres to provide healthcare and basic diagnostic services at the neighbourhood level.
Director of municipal affairs Temjenrenla Kechu said this at an orientation programme on the effective implementation of the 15th Finance Commission health grants components, organised by the directorate of municipal affairs and the National Health Mission (NHM) Nagaland, in Kohima on Tuesday.
She said six additional health centres have been planned for the purpose in the state this year.
Kechu said the UHWCs are envisioned as the first point of healthcare access at the community level, including during emergencies, with referral linkages to designated polyclinics for specialised services.
Kechu outlined the objectives of the 15th Finance Commission health grant and the rationale behind the orientation programme.
She said the Government of India introduced the grant to strengthen basic healthcare services in urban and rural areas through local bodies, alongside the existing health infrastructure.
Kechu said the grant is implemented through the departments of rural development, municipal affairs, and health & family welfare.
She added that under the municipal affairs department, funds have been provided for establishing new UHWCs through new construction, upgrading existing facilities, or renting buildings where land is unavailable.
Kechu said each centre is eligible for a one-time grant of Rs 25 lakh for infrastructure and Rs 3 lakh for computer and internet facilities.
She said recurring grants have also been provided for human resource development, medicines, quality assurance, infection control, operational expenses, wellness activities, branding, monitoring, and other essential services. She stated that the orientation programme was organised to equip medical officers and urban local body officials with a clear understanding of the scheme’s implementation.